A fire Sunday destroyed the roof and attic of a house on Church Road.
Parksville firefighters were called to the scene at around 11:30 Sunday morning, where they found the roof in flames. Deputy fire Chief Marc Norris says the initial pan of attack was to get water onto the roof and knock down the flames. They were forced to use their trucks’ water supply, as the closest fire hydrant was far away.
“The closest hydrant to the house was far away,” he said, “so we started with the truck supply.”
Once connected to the hydrant, Norris said firefighters were able to use their truck-mounted water gun and aerial nozzle to hit the fire.
The fire is believed to have started in the roof of the house, Norris said, noting it quickly spread to other part of the roof and the attic. That’s dangerous, he said, noting a portion of the main entrance to the house collapsed, making it impossible to send firefighters into the home. Firefighters were also called out of the the garage when flames in the roof made it likely there would be a collapse.
“Realistically, the roof was a total loss at that point,” Norris said.
Norris said a passer-by saw the roof was on fire and notified one of the owners, who was inside the house at the time. Everyone inside escaped unharmed.
No firefighters were injured.
Norris said indications are the house, which was damaged substantially, was insured.
The cause of the fire has not yet been determined, Norris continued. Fire department investigators are back on the scene today and possible tomorrow, to investigate the cause.
